Extension table



M. J. GREENWOOD EXTENS ION TABLE Filed Sept. 3, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l mi N?? Ni. J. GREENWOOD EXTENS ION TABLE May 12, 1931..

Filed Sept. 3, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 12, 1931.

M. J. GREENVVOQD EXTENSION TABLE Filed Sept. 3. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 w Y x Patented May 12, 1931 UNETED STATES PATENT @FFME Y IIIARCUS J. GREENWOOD, 0F GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GREENWOOD ASSOCIATES, 0F GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, A VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION EXTENSION TABLE Application filed September 3, 1929. Serial No. 389,961.

l@ leaves is drawn out so that the end leaves can be pushed back in and leave the table in proper condition for use and so that it can be manipulated conveniently by one person; to provide means operating automatically for i5 providing a positive support at each end of the center leafl when so raised; to provide hand-operated means for withdrawing the supports from the center leaf so that upon the drawing apart of the .end leaves slightly the center leaf will drop and the end leaves can be brought together again over it; to provide adequate guides for the several parts and simple mechanism for operating the parts by one person located at one end of the table.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had tothe accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a table constructed in accordance with this invention showing it in its contracted form;

Fig. 2 is a plan thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side view like Fig. 1 except that it shows'the center leaf elevated;

Fig. 4 is a plan of the table in the same condition;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view with the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the legs shown in sect-ion;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 on enlarged scale;

Fig. 7 is abottom plan'view of one side of the table with the ends drawn apart and the center piece just ready to raise;

Fig. 8 is a side view with the parts in the same position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but with the center p-iece raised andthe end pieces not, yet pushed in, and

Fig. 10 is a side view with the parts in the same position.

l have shown the invention as comprising a stationary standard comprising four vertical legs 10 connected at the top by side and end pieces 11 to form a rigid structure. They can be connected in any desired way for that purpose. The two ends are connected by a pair of longitudinal guides 12 not only to further strengthen the table but to serve other purposes as will appear. The longitudinal guides 12 are shown as secured together by a diagonal piece 9 which adds to the stability of the structure. Also mounted on the side 11 is a frame 13 at the center and two guides 14 and 15 at either side of it. These parts constitute the stationary portions of the table.

Supported on the top of this vframe made up of the sides and ends 11 arethe end pieces 16 of the table. These are always in the same plane and constitute the top of the table with the exception of the center section 17. Cornparison of Figs. 1 to 4 shows the table in two positions, in the rst of which the end pieces 16 are brought up into contacting relation to each other at the center and the section 17 is located below them. In Fig. 3 the center section is elevated to a position in the plane of the end pieces 16 and these three pieces constitute a continuous table top. The end pieces of course are not laid loosely on the top of the frame made up of the ends and sides 11 but they are provided with cleats 18 screwed to the under surfaces thereof and projecting downwardly. These cleats are provided with dove-tailed projections or grooves 19 which tit with corresponding elements on the longitudinal guides 12. The two guide pieces 18 on each side of they table are made in the same way, each secured at the top to one of the end pieces 16 and projecting downwardly and also projecting across the space under the center piece 17. Although secured to the end piece 16 only at their ends they project a long distance under the table and provide for guiding the parts and holding the end pieces in position down on the frame 11-11.

The longitudinal guides 12 carry two gears er pinions 20 arranged to turn on a vertical axis and meshing with opposite racks 21 secured to these guide pieces 18. These racks are opposite and the two racks of each pair mesh with opposite sides ot the pinions 20. It will be obvious therefore that it is not necessary to pull out both of the ends 16 by direct action at the two ends oi the table but if one of them is pulled out both of them will operate and in opposite directions. This enables one person to manipulate the table.

Then one of the ends has been pulled out, which is done by grasping a cleat 22 under one end with one hand and the end piece 11 with the other, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the central section 17 is lett in position resting on the tops of the guides 12. llVhen a downwardly extending pin 23 on each of the end pieces engages a horizontal pin 24 on two slides 25, sliding in the opposite guides 15, and the end pieces 16 are moved further back away from cach other, the pins 24 will have to move bacl: with the pins 23. as shown in Fig. 10. This causes the two slides 25, each carrying a rack 27 on opposite sides of the table toturn pinions 26 with which the racks mesh. The pinions are rotatably mounted on the frames 13 arranged in the ends 11. On these pinions are a pair ot cams 29 which turn around 900 and move up the center piece 17 as shown in Fig. 10. These features duplicated at the two sides of the table and the rack 27 at one side moves in the opposite direction to the rack 27 at the other, but the cams both turn through 90 to bring their high surfaces under the section 17 and raise it. This section has guide pins 30 entering pertorations in the side pieces 11 so that they will not get out ot position. One of these pins is shown at cach end.

The central sections 17 and end pieces 15 have dowels lll enteringl holes in the corresponding pieces and after the parts reach the position shown in F' 9 and 10 th^ end is pushed in and this nill cause both ends to move inwardly and the central piece to be secured in its central position. It is no longer necessary to leep the cams 29 in their raised position and they can be pulled down at any time by pulling either of two knobs which are connected by 'flexible connections 34, in the 'form of wires if desired, to a lever 35 which is pivoted vertically at the center of the table to the diagonal piece 9. The ends of these levers are connected with links 37 which have pins 38 projecting through slots inthe brackets 14 and connected with theslides 25 at opposite corners of the table. yThe slides are pulled back so asto operate the racks 27 and lower the cams. This has to be done when the table is to be contracted again by lowering the center piece. Of course, to do this the end pieces are drawn out to the' position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the cams lowered and the center piece 17 will drop by gravity to a level lower than that of the end pieces 16.

It will be seen therefore that with the ta* ble in its contracted position shown in Fig. 1, the only thing necessary to operate it is for a person to put the left hand on one of the end pieces 11 and pull with the right hand on one ot the top pieces 16 by means of the cleat 22 underneath the same. This first pulls both end pieces 16 away from each other until the center piece 17 is ex posed as is shown in Fig. 8. Continued motion of the end pieces outwardly brings the two pins 23 in contact with the two pins 24 on opposite sides and swings the cams 29 to raise the center piece 17 as shown in Fig. 10. To complete the setting up of the table in expanded position, one end piece 16 is forced in until the two end pieces register with the center piece 17, as shown in Fig. 3, the dowels holding them together.

To restore the table from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 1, it is first necessary to draw out the end pieces 16 to the position shown in Fig. 10. Then one of the buttons 33 is pulled out, the same effect occurring no matter which one is operated. This swings the cams 29 down out et the way so that the center piece 17 will drop in its guides ,30 to its lowermost position. Then one end piece 16 is forced in` which ot course forces in the opposite end piece and the table is restored to the position shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noticed that this is' all done by a person standing at one end but using both hands. Everything is automatic except the operation of the handles or buttons 33 and of course the manipulation of one end piece out and in. There is no necessity of having a person at each end of the table.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of the invention, I am aware of the tact that modifications can he made therein by any person `skilled in the art without departing fromv the scope of the invention a Xpressed in the claims. Y

Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details ot construction herein shown and described, but what I do claim is 1. In an extension table, the combination of a pair of end pieces normally constituting the table top, a center niece normally resting under the adjacent ends ot the end pieces, a pin on each end piece, a pair oi" slides at op posite sides of the table, each having a rack, a pinion meshing with each rack, a cam carried by each pinion and a pin on each slide located in position to be engaged by the corresgonding pin on the' end piece, whereby the cams will be raised to raise the center piece.

2. In an extension table, the combination of a pair of end pieces normally constituting the table wp, means 'whereby when one is pulled outwardly the otherwill be moved l'so an equal distance in the opposite direction leaving a space between them, a center piece normally resting under the adjacent ends of the end pieces under said space, a pair of pins, one on each end piece, at the opposite sides, a pair of slides at opposite sides of the table, each having a rack, a pinion meshing with each rack, a cam carried by each pinion and a pin on each slide located in position to be engaged by the corresponding pin on the end piece just when the end pieces are far enough apart to receive the center piece between them, whereby at that time the cams will be raised to raise the opposite ends of the center piece.

3. In an extension table, the combination with a pair of end pieces adapted to be moved apart and a center piece adapted t0 be moved up between them when they are -y apart, of a lever, a link connected with the lever, a slide connected with said link and having a rack, a pinion, a cam mounted on said pinion, said cam being so located that, when the lever is pulled outwardly, it will turn the cam down from a position to support the center piece so that the center piece will drop to its lowest position by gravity.

4. In an extension table, the combination with a pair of end pieces adapted to be moved apart and a center piece adapted to be moved up between them when they are apart, of a lever located under the center piece and pivoted at its center, a link connected with each end of the lever, each link having a pin projecting therethrough, a pair of slides at the opposite corners of the table connected with said pins, each slide having a rack, a pinion at each side of the table, a cam mounted on each pinion, said cams being so located that, when the lever is pulled outwardly at either end, it will turn the cams down from a position to support the ends oi' the center piece so that the center piece will drop to its lowest position by gravity.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afxed my signature.

MARCUS J. GREENWOOD. 

